Washer sorting and assembling device



L. s. WH ITEHEAD WASHER SORTING AND ASSEMBLING DEVICE March 11 Filed July 11, 192' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 11., 1924. 1,486,818 L. S. WHITEHEAD WASHER SORTING AND ASSEMBLING DEVICE Filed July 11. 1922 I2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Mar. 11, 1924.

LEO S. WHITEHEAD, OF AKRON, OHIO.

WASHER SORTING AND ASSEMBLING DEVICE.

Application filed July 11, 1922. Serial No. 574,336.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lino S. lVHrrnHni-m, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron. in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful improvements in Washer Sorting and Assembling Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a washer sorter and assembling device, and the object or" the same is to provide comparatively simple and effective means for receiving washers of that type which are inserted in rubber heels to serve as stop bearings for the fasteningsof the heels in different positions and to prop crly turn and dispose the washers in similar positions in alined association on pins, rods or needles in retained stacks and ready for individual separation and application to heel slugs. A further object of the inven' tion is to facilitate the proper disposition of washers of the type specified in vertical alinenient on a holding means for use in connection with, or application to, heel slugs and particularly for operative asso ciation with mechanism for automatically applying the said washers to heel slugs to expedite the completion of rubber heels as now manufactured.

With these and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement ofj-the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved sorter and assembling device shown mounted on a supporting means therefor;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the improved sorter and assembling device sh ow 11 mounted on a supporting means and taken at a diiferent angle;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 8-3, Fig. 1 showing the sorter or assembling device vertically disposed and looking downwardly towards the outlet therof;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse vertical section taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 2, and particularly showing one of the washer receiver organizations; and

Fig. 5 is a front elevation on an enlarged scale of one of the washer receiver organizations detached and adapted to be associated with the outlet of each of the chutes of the improved device.

The improved washer sorter and assembling device comprises a main chute 5 intersected at an angle by a laterally projecting chute 6, the two chutes being rendered practically continuous through the medium of angularly disposed curved walls, as particularly shown by Fig. 3. The chute 5 is the main or receiving chute and has an upper diverged extremity 9 with an inlet opening 10, the said chute comprising a bottom plate 11, a channel forming plate 12 secured thereon and of less width at its upper portion, as at 13, to'provide a receiving space 14: of such area as to accomodate the insertion of a large number of the washers in different positions at one time. The inner edge of the upper portion 13 of the channel forming strip is inclined inwardly, as at 15, towards an an gularly disposed guard strip 16 secured to theone edge of the bottom strip 11, or held adjacent to the latter in a manner which will be presently explained. The greater portion of the inner edge of the channel forming strip 12 is longitudinally straight, as at 1.7, and is spaced from the lower attached edge of the guard strip 16 a distance sufiicient to permit the washers to freely move through the channel 18, or this channel is of slightly greater width than the diameter of the washers usually inserted in heel slugs. On the inner side of the guard strip 16 a covering strip 19 is applied and at the upper portion ofthe washer receiving space 14 ad jacent to the inlet'lO an angular strip 20 is secured to the bottom plate 11' against the adjacent portion of the strip 16, the said angular strip 20 tapering towards its lower end and having its wider end uppermost, to thereby form a short wall at one terminal of the inlet opening 10 and part way through the length of the receiving space 14. The lower terminal of the angular strip 20 also provides the upper limit for an elongated opening 21 between the chutes 5 and 6, the said opening extending well down through the length of the channel 18 and terminate as at 22 (see Fig. 1).

The bottom 23 of the chute 6 consists of a suitably shaped piece of sheet metal which continues upwardly over the outer side of the guard strip 16 to which it is secured, as at 24, and has a longitudinal extent on the outer side of the strip 16 slightly greater than the length of the opening or slot 21. As shown by Fig. 3, the sheet metal strip 23 is first bent inwardly, as at 25, against the outer portion of the lower angular edge 26 of the guard strip 16 then continues in a short straight wall 27 and merges into a slightly outward struck curved wall 28 at a point opposite the opening or slot 21, so as to give ample space and clearance for the movement of the washers passing through the said opening 21 into the chute 6. The inner edge 29 of the bottom plate 11 or" the chute is also cut away at an angle or bevel adjacent to the opening 21, and intersecting this beveled edge 29 is the top sheet metal plate 30 of the chute 6. The sheet metal plates 30 and 23 are converged towards their lower ends, as clearly shown by Figs. 1 and 2, and between these plates channel torming strips 31 and 32, the channel forming strip 32 being shown in cross section in Fig. 3. The strips 31 and 32 have thei edges so shaped as to provide a COI1V-Sll1l:., channel 33 from the opening: 21, said strip 31 and 32 and the channel 33 being clearly indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2. (Ever the top of the chute 5 and resting; on the strips ll and 20 a glass cover plate 34: is applied and has an inner straight edge abutting against the lower portion of the cover or face strip 19 on the guard strip 16 and the remaining edges shaped to conform to the contour of the corresponding outer edges ot the chute. This glass or transparent cover plate 3st is held at its inner portion under clips 35 secured against the strips 19 and 1G and beari directly against the inner surface of the strip 19, as shown by Figs. 1 and 2, and also by outer removable ll clamps 36. upper or diverged end of the bottom plate 11 has a right angular stop flange 37 secured thereto, or formed as a part thereof, to maintain the improved device as a whole in proper position in a manner which will he. presently explained. llrpplied to the lower reduced ends of the chutes and 6 and in registration with the channels 13 and 33 are outlets throats 33 and 39, each of said throats being of substantially the same contour and comprising similar components. The throats extend away from the reduced ends of the chutes 5 and 6 a suite le distance and each is bent at its outer end in a slightly upward direction, as at l0, to give the washers coining thereinto a proper position relatively to a. dicharge opening 41.. as shown by 41-. Each outlet threat has a lower sheet metal base 42 with an inner angular or bracket extremity l3 to adapt the same to the shape of the end of the chute to which it is secured by suitable means. On the bottom or base 42 throat strips ll are secured and extend lengthwise of the said outlet throat, the inner edges of the strips ll being spaced a distance equal to the outlet dimensions of the channel 18 or 33 with which the lne outlet throat cooperates. @ver and secured on the strips a l is a celluloid, sheet mica or analogous transparent covering strip d5, clearly shown by Fig. 41-, the latter strip havii'ig a c atral opening is for the projection thereinto of curved spring guard lingers 47 formed at the upper edge of a guard plate 43 secured against the outer side of an angularly depending bracket plate 49. The spring or resilient guard lingers 457 extend through the opening 46 of the transparent cover or top plate 4:) and into the outer portion the opening ll, as shown by rig. l, so to insure direction into and moi-em-ent of the washers through th opening 4:1.

Associated with each outlet throat is a receiver organization, the organization for each throat being similar and suitably secured in operative position beneath the dis charge opening ll of each throat. Each receiver organization comprises essentially a lower socket stem 50 having a socket 51 formed in the center of the upper end thereof. the socket stein being provided with a head 52 at its upper id to facilitate.

the formation oi. the socket 51 and also to provide for the formation oi: an annular shoulder for the support of a catching receptacle Fail having a cei'itral collar F5 to removably lit over the upper reduced porion of the head 52 of the stem. 50. From the collar 55 arms 56 divergently extend upwardly for a greater portion of their length and are then converged to: a portion, as at 57, inwardly towards and fixed to a. receiving tube 53 which is held closely against the bottom or base .42 of the throat around the discharge opening all. The washers are adapted to be received in proper position on a pin. rod or needle 59 of suitable length and having an upper pointed end 60 and a lower enlarged socket engaging member 1 to removably fit in the socket 51, the pin, rod or needle 59 be ing of such length that when the socket engaging member 61 is seated in the socket 51, the upper pointed end 60 thereof will project upwardly within the receiving tube in central relation to the opening 41, so as to regularly have threaded thereon the washers discharged through the said opening: l1. In the event that any of the washers tail to properly fall on the pin, rod or needle 59, they will pass through the tube 58 and drop into the catching receiver or tray 54%.

To conveniently support the improved device as a whole a base 62 of suitable dimen sions is provided with braced uprights 63 and M. The upright 6a is of materially greater ve 'tical extent than the upright 63 and has an upper inwardly beveled top edge The top edge of the upright 63 is angularly notched, as at 66. The flange 37 of the base plate of the chute 5 catches over the upper end of the upright 64: with a portion of the adjacent under side of the base plate resting on the edge 65, and the lower angular part of the chute 5 is disposed in the notch 66. The upright 64 is bodily turned at an angle relatively to the upright 63 and the upper edge 65 thereof also slopes downwardly towards one side of the said upright, and by this means the improved device as a whole is given a proper angular position for operation, as shown by Figs. 1 and 2. When the improved. device as whole is applied to the uprights 63 and 64, the chutes 5 and 6 will have the proper degree of inclination and the outlet throats 38 and 39 of the respective chutes will also be properly positioned to effect a practical discharge of the washers which are directed through the channels 18 and 33 of the chutes 5 and 6. The transparent or glass cover plate 3 1 of the chute 5 permits ready inspection of the oporation of the washers supplied to said chute through the top of the inlet opening 10, and likewise, the transparent cover strips or plates 35 of the throats 38 and 39 give a view of the movement of the washers through the throats and also serve as a means to inform an operator if at any time there is a tendency to clog or if clogging actually ensues and to thereby locate the trouble and expedite any stoppage of operation that would ensue as a result of the clogging action.

As hereinhefore indicated, the washers, which are designated for the purpose of illustration by the reference characters A and B, as shown by Fig. 3, are introduced into the receiving space 141. of the chute 5 through the inlet opening 1.0 irrespective of the position of the said washers, and as a result part of the washers will have their flanges resting flat against the bottom 11 forming the base of the receiving space 1/1, and part oi the washers will have their depressed body portions in contact; with the bottom 11 in the receiving space and their flanges uppermost, such positions being respectively indicated by the washers A. and B in Fig. 3. All of the washers with their flanges uppermost as indicated by A will pass downwardly through the channel 18, for the reason that the flanges of these washers will stand at such elevation as to be above the upper limit or top wall of the opening 21, and hence all of the washers in the position indicated as at A will pass out through the channel 18 and the outlet throat 38 and be properly positioned on the pin, rod or needle 59 held in position to receive these washers. The washers with their flanges in reverse positions as indicated by B will slip through the opening 21 and be turned into proper position by engaging the curved portion or directing wall 28 of the bottom 23 of the chute 6 and pass downwardly through the channel 33 with their flanges uppermost, and thence be discharged into the throat 39 and finally onto the adjacent pin, rod or needle 59. By this means it will be seen that the washers may be quickly sorted or disposed in similar positions on the two pins, rods or needles, and when the latter becomes filled they may be detached and replaced by empty similar devices. Care will be taken to have the surfaces over which the washers move of smooth construction so to avoid sticking of the washers at any point during their progress through the chutes.

It will be seen that the improved device will be materially advantageous in saving time in sorting or disposing washers in simi' lar position for use in application to heel slugs in the formation of rubber heels, especially in view of the small size of the washers and the slow progress that is made in manually picking up the washers and placing them on a holding means to adapt the washers for use in automatically operating setting mechanism, or for any other purpose where it is desirable that washers of this character be retained in stacks on pins, rods or needles in uniform position for separation and individual application or usage.

lVhat is claimed as new is:

1. In a washer sorter and assembling device ol the class specified, a main chute disposed at an angle of inclination for gravitating operation and provided with an inlet opening at the upper end, and a laterally projecting chute intersecting the main chute at an angle and having communication with a portion of one side of said main chute, both chutes being provided with lower independent outlet means.

2. In a washer sorter and assembling device of the class specified, a main chute disposed at an angle of inclination for gravitating operation and also laterally canted and having an inlet opening at the upper end, a laterally projecting chute intersect ing the main chute at an angle and having communication with a portion of one side thereof, both chutes being provided with channels therethrough and outlet extremities, and outlet throats applied to the outlet extremities of the chutes.

S. In a washer sorter and assembling device of the class specified, a main chute disposed at an angle of inclination for gravitating operation and also laterally canted and having an inlet opening at its upper end, a laterally projecting chute intersecting the main chute at an angle and having com munication with a portion of the lower side thereof, both chutes having channels therethrough and independent outlet extremities at which said channels terminate, and outlet throats applied to the outlet extremities of the chutes for receiving and disposing the washers in horizontal discharging positions.-

l. In a washer sorter and assembling device of the class specified, a main chute dis posed at an angle of inclination for gravitating operation, a laterally projecting chute intersecting the main chute at an angle and having communication therewith, both chutes being reduced in width towards outlet extremities and having channels therein leading to the said extremities, the main chute having an inlet opening at its wider end, and outlet throats applied to the outlet extremities of the chutes to receive the washers and dispose the latter in proper discharging positions.

5. In a washer sorter and assembling device of: the class specified, a main chute disposed at an angle of inclination for gravitating operation and provided with an inlet opening at one end, a laterally projecting chute intersecting the main chute at an angle and having communication therewith adjacent to the angle of intersection, both chutes having outlet extremities, outlet throats applied to the outlet extremities of the chutes, and means operatively associated with the throats for receiving the washers and retaining the latter in predetermined arrangement.

6. In a washer sorter and assembling device, a main chute of angular form intersected at an angle by a laterally projecting converging chute, an opening being formed adjacent to the location of intersection of the two chutes, a curved wall being also provided and extending from one chute to another adjacent to the said opening, and outlet throat members at the smaller extremities of the chutes.

7. In a washer sorter and assembling device, an approximately triangular main chute intersected at an angle by and having communication with a laterally projecting substantially triangular chute, the main chute having an inlet opening at its wider end and both chutes having discharge openings at their reduced ends, the chutes also having formed therein channels leading to the discharge openings, throat members secured to the discharge extremities of the chutes and having outlet openings therefrom, and means disposed adjacent to the outlet openings of the throat members and held by the latter to receive the washers in stacked relation.

8. In a washer sorter and assembling device of the class specified, an approximately triangular main chute disposed at a downward angle of inclination and also canted so as to cause washers to move toward one side thereof, a laterally projecting substan tially triangular chute disposed at an angle to the main chute, an opening being formed adjacent to the point of intersection of the two chutes and the latter also having a curved wall extending from one to the other, the chutes having outlet openings at their lower reduced ends and also provided with channels leading to said outlet openings, and throat members secured to the reduced ends of the chutes in line with the outlet openings and having means associated therewith for receiving the washers discharged from the chutes and throat members in stacked relation.

9. In a washer sorter and assembling device of the class specified, chute devices arranged at relative angles and having communication adjacent to their point of intersection and formed to receive washers in the one chute in different positions and to turn over a portion of the washers that may not be in the right position and discharge all washers in a similar position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEO S. WHITEHEAD. Witnesses:

l/V. E. PALMER, M. A. POWERS. 

